“We wanted to release a cigar exclusively for the 2018 IPCPR attendees as a way of showing appreciation for the retailers who come to support our brands and the show.

We have been saving this release for a special occasion and with the decline in retailer attendance, we thought the time is now.

The Killer Bee Connecticut is a cigar that I blended with the original Killer Bee, so I’m very excited to finally have it released as a great addition to the Killer Bee line and the BLK WKS portfolio.

With similar profiles to the Killer Bee, it may not be what you expect from a typical Connecticut cigar. The Connecticut wrapper gives an added creaminess and changes up the spice components quite a bit. KBC is very complex and balanced.”

– James Brown, creator of BLK WKS and partner at Fabrica Oveja Negra.

Killer Bee Connecticut on display at the Black Label Trading Company (BLTC) Booth at the 2018 IPCPR Las Vegas NV.

We spoke with Angela Brown of BLK WKS Studio she told Cigar Smoke “We plan to make this an annual release for Black Works Studio.

It’s the first Connecticut we have produced, but it’s a Connecticut with a full profile.

We hope it stands out from what consumers find on the market”.

Killer Bee Connecticut is offered in one size:

Petite Corona: 4.5 x 46

Box Count: 20

APPEARANCE

The Connecticut wrapper is walnut shell in color with swirls of Ecuadorian Maduro around the foot and cap.

At 4.5 x 46 it’s rolled in the Petit Corona format showing notable seam, tooth and vein with a heavy closed foot of Maduro that’s almost air tight with a pointed nipple cap.

One band sits on the KBC with a black background and gold accents, it reads the name “KILLER BEE” in gold, with smaller lower case font reading “black works studio” laced with gold trim.

To the left is a gold Hornet with a green laser design on a black background.

Pre-light aroma had noted of chocolate, cedar and cream. Heavy resistance on the cold draw producing flavors of cedar and leather.

FIRST LIGHT

Extra heavy resistance from the covered foot easing into wide open after 5 or 6 draws.

An aroma of holiday baking flavors off the toasted foot, most notable are cedar and chocolate.

Initial flavors of nutty char, once the blend settles in flavors of chocolate peppered cream and cinnamon.

The spicy element is in the form of white pepper cream with a leather bite. White pepper continues on the retro with a long wasabi sting of milk chocolate.

CRUISE CONTROL BURN

In the second half flavors of milk chocolate, creamy leather and white pepper dominate the profile of the Killer Bee Connecticut.

Background flavors of hazelnut and nutmeg are adding to the creamy profile.

The spicy element is balancing in with white pepper and cinnamon spice. FULL white pepper on the retro evolving into a long finish of chocolate.

FINAL THIRD

In the final third the profile intensifies with consistent flavors of milk chocolate, creamy leather and white pepper with an appearance of light coffee.

The background flavors remain consistent with creamy hazelnut and nutmeg.

Cinnamon spice with a leather bite is balancing in perfectly with the aforementioned white pepper at the level of FULL.

Retro for days with FULL clean white pepper evolving into a long and complex finish of chocolate.

CONSTRUCTION/STRENGTH

• CONSTRUCTION: Slightly soft but firm, construction of the KBC was solid. The Ecuadorian Maduro strips of tobacco dissolved quickly at first light, however the portion surrounding the cap remained throughout the duration of every cigar.

• ASH: The light grey to dark ash held to about the inch point, I wouldn’t suggest letting it hold longer or you’ll be wearing it.

CUT: V-cut all examples smoked for review preserving as much of the Maduro around the cap as possible.

• DRAW: First light produced some heavy resistance due to the closed foot transitioning to a perfect milkshake type draw after toasting.

• RE LIGHTS: Zero re-lights required.

• FIRE: Long cedar matches.

• STRENGTH: MEDIUM-PLUS to FULL bodied.

CONCLUSION

I’ve been smoking these non stop since they’ve arrived! Due diligence was performed on three examples in the A.M on a clean palate.

However, five cigars have been paired with coffee in the evening without influence over my initial findings and flavor notes.

After all, its not all work and the BLK WKS Killer Bee Connecticut IMO pairs perfectly with coffee.

Loaded with flavors of creamy leather, nutmeg, hazelnut, white peppered chocolate and cinnamon it produced a continuous result of complexity with a long and balanced finish in MEDIUM-PLUS to FULL bodied format.

The Killer Bee Connecticut is sure to maintain it’s celebrity status in a portfolio of LE’s out of Fabrica Oveja Negra.